My personal history with Calvinism

I am not really sure when I fully embraced Calvinism, but I do know that by the time I was in my early 20s, I was a five-point Calvinist.

Since Calvinism was so inherently logical and apparently biblical, I was fully persuaded in my own mind that “Calvinism is the Gospel, and the Gospel is Calvinism” (as some Calvinists claim). I vividly remember debating Calvinism with many of my non-Calvinist friends, trying to convince them of what was eminently obvious to anyone with a working brain.

Losing Limited Atonement

However, it was not long after this that one of my Calvinistic friends declared that he was no longer a five-point Calvinist, but was now a four-point Calvinist. He no longer believed in “Limited Atonement.”

I told him that he had begun to slide down a slippery slope, for the five points of Calvinism are like five links on a chain: they stand or fall together and if one link in the chain breaks, it is only a matter of time before the whole system unravels. My friend assured me that nothing of the sort would happen to him, and he was still fully convinced of the other four points of Calvinism.

I was skeptical, but he and I talked about it, studied the Scriptures, and read numerous books.

It was not long before I too had given up on Limited Atonement as well. But I was convinced that I would remain a four-point Calvinist, just like my friend. As it happened, what I told him about the links in the Calvinistic chain turned out to be true—at least for me.

Shedding Perseverance of the Saints

Later that year, I sat through a Bible College class on the General Epistles in which the professor, Dr. John Hart, had us read numerous books which challenged the fifth point of Calvinism: the Perseverance of the Saints.

There were numerous other books I read and the class lectures of Dr. John Hart were influential as well, so within a year I had abandoned my belief in the Perseverance of the Saints, and was now a three-point Calvinist.

Calvinist No More

I remained a three-point Calvinists for quite a while, until, after Seminary, I began my first pastorate in Montana. It was there, where the rubber of theology hits the road of life, where the final three points of Calvinism finally fell.

Also, I was preaching at this time through the book of Ephesians, and my research and study on Ephesians 1 helped me to see that this chapter does not teach Unconditional Election as many Calvinists claim. Somewhere during those first five years as a pastor, all three of the remaining points of Calvinism crumbled in my mind.

Coming to Terms with non-Calvinism

It was an exciting but scary time.

It was exciting because my theology was changing and I was discovering new vistas on about the grace of God and the role of faith and works in the life of believers.

But it was scary because I kept wondering how deep the rabbit hole went. I didn’t want to be an Arminian, but at the same time, I knew I could no longer be a Calvinist.

In the end, though, none of them wrote anything in their books which persuaded me that my new belief system was wrong.

In fact, it often seemed to me that these Calvinistic authors themselves had never heard of the views which I myself held. They kept arguing against non-Calvinistic beliefs which I, as a non-Calvinist, did not believe!

It seemed to me that they had not read any of the books I had read, or even knew anything about the way of reading Scripture which I had adopted. At the time, I did not know exactly if these Calvinistic authors were trying to refute Arminian beliefs (which I had not read much of), or if they had simply erected anti-Calvinistic straw-man beliefs which were then easily knocked down. Looking back now, and having read many books on Arminian theology, I have to say that it was the latter.

Most Calvinists, it seems, rarely read books or listen to teachers that are not Calvinistic.

It is exceedingly rare to find a defense of Calvinism which actually deals with the documented beliefs and ideas of Calvinistic opponents. A typical Calvinistic defense seems to consist of stating the Calvinistic beliefs, quoting numerous Calvinistic authors, and referencing several biblical texts which seem to support the Calvinistic perspectives.

This pretty much brings me up to the present day.

Over the past fifteen years, I have continued to read both Calvinistic and non-Calvinistic authors, and study biblical texts from the various perspectives. With every passing year, I am more and more convinced that Calvinism reads Scripture incorrectly, distorts the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and has ultimately abandoned the roots of the Reformation.

All this will be seen in later posts.

So what about you? What is your history with Calvinism? Are you Calvinist now? Have you ever been a Calvinist? Do you know what Calvinism is? Share your stories in the comment section below.

I embraced salvation in Jesus Christ in my 20s. Until then I was an atheist with cultural background in catholicism that I thought was nothing more than politics and opium for the masses. The church then tried to make me arminian (and partially succedeed), while I thought I was still only christian.Then I rebelled and discovered other aspects of truth, calvinist ones, in another church who kind of made me a calvinist. Then God made me discover what I now consider real truth about unlimited atonement or universal salvation in Jesus Christ. (God bless tentmaker.org).I guess my heart always knew it, but I got sidetracked by being bombarded with different “theologies”. Now I study Bible myself, loving it! And reading everything from various protestant sources but taking for granted nothing . God gives me His revelations from His written Word, which His Spirit is confirming inside of me. I don’t have many answers yet. But He teaches me step by step and carries me on. 🙂

I am also neither. We go to a Calvinist church, that is supposed to be non denominational, but Calvinist. Yeah I dont get that. I believe that both put God in a box. And to think any man can dwindle Gods plan for salvation to 5 points is silly. Isaiah 55:8,9 tells us that Gods our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are His ways and thoughts higher than ours. I have always struggled with Calvinism. It feels like it cheapens Jesus.

1. Because of What Calvinism Is. The term Calvinism and similar terms come from John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterian Church A.D. 1535. That is John the Presbyterian, not John the Baptist. Calvinism claims five points as a basis fellowship in doctrine. First, there is total inability, the teaching man is so lost he cant respond to the gospel. A sinner is totally unable to save himself; however, that does not mean a sinner is unable to hear, repent, and believe (Rom. 10:8-17). Second, there is unconditional election the teaching God determined in eternity whom He would save and who would be lost forever without any consideration of repentance and faith. That doesnt harmonize with the Lords teachings (Luke 13:3, 5; John 8:24). Third, there is limited atonement, the teaching Christ died only for those whom God determined to save. Calvinism considers atonement for all mankind being wasteful with the blood. Part three will deal with this matter. Fourth, there is irresistible grace, the teaching to elect cannot resist Gods grace when it is time for them to respond. However, the Bible gives many examples of people resisting God. In fact, Hebrews 4:2 speaks of some who resisted the gospel by their unbelief. Fifth, there is the perseverance of the saints, the teaching of security of the believer for every true believer. All true Baptist accept this point, But it was a point of Baptists long before Calvin lived (John 3:27-29).

2. Because of What Arminianism Is The term Arminianism comes from Jacob (or James) Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived most of his life after Calvins death. His doctrine is also stated in five points and one can see they are directly opposite to Calvinism. First, there is mans ability to work with God in spiritual regeneration, a strong denial of the total depravity of man. Also, it is an indication of salvation of works. One who studies the Bible should know total depravity is a Bible doctrine (Eph. 2:1-3). Also, he should realize salvation is Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:9). Second, there is election on the condition of Gods foreknowledge of who would believe and endure to the end. One can accept an element of this if this doctrine doesnt go so far as to have God decreeing some to believe and others not to believe. The fact is people are elected to salvation by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). Also, the idea of enduring to the end is salvation by works, pre and simple. It wont work, because the Lord finished all the work necessary for salvation (John 19:30). Third, there is unlimited atonement, teaching Christ died for all people. Assuredly, not all people will receive Christ, but all people could receive Christ. He did die for all mankind, which will be the point of part three. Fourth, there is falling from grace, the natural result of teaching salvation by works. It is the direct opposite of security of the believer. It is also the direct opposite of Bible teaching (John 5:24).

3. Because Christ died for All Mankind. At the heart of Calvinism is limited atonement. Christ dying for the elect. The Bible offers ample proof Christ died for all mankind. First, Isaiah 53:6 predict God would place on Christ the iniquity of us all. That would be unnecessary, if He died only for the elect. Second, Luke 19:10 states, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. How many humans are lost? Third, the lesson text indicates salvation is available to all mankind (John 3:14-18). How many indications of this can you find in the lesson text? Fourth, 2 Corinthians 5:14 states, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. That is self-explanatory. Fifth, Hebrews 2:9 clearly asserts Christ tasted death for every man. Christ died for all mankind. Sixth, 2 Peter 3:9 portrays God as not being willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. That would be strange, if God decreed certain ones would perish. Seventh, 1 John 2:2 teaches Christ satisfied the just demands of the Holy God for the sins of the whole world. For Discussion. Examine 1 Timothy 2:4; 4:10 in regard to this point.

4. Because Salvation Is by Grace. At the heart of Arminianism is salvation by works, the idea man must work to be saved and to go to Heaven. Along with that is the teaching one can lose his salvation. The Bible will not support either view. First, a person is saved by the grace of God. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). If it is the gift of God, man cannot be of works (Rom. 11:6). Second, a person is saved by the mercy of God. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5). Third, the believer is eternally secure in Christ. How could it be any other was as long as the believers life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)? Besides, Missionary Baptist are not obligated to accept either classification of Calvinism or Arminianism. They need only be Missionary Baptists.